33-year-old Corning man dies in fiery I-5 crash

GERBER >> A 33-year-old Corning man died Sunday afternoon after the vehicle he was driving veered across the Interstate 5 median and collided with an oncoming big rig.

Around 2:50 p.m. the Corning man was driving a 2007 Chevrolet Aveo northbound on I-5 south of Chard Avenue when for an unknown reason he intentionally veered to the left, crossing the center median and began traveling into the southbound lanes, according to a California Highway Patrol collision report.

At that time a 55-year-old man from Nine Mile Falls, Wash. was driving a 1995 Volvo truck tractor pulling a semi-trailer southbound at about 55 mph.

The big rig driver noticed the Aveo crossing into the center median towards his truck and took evasive action by applying his brakes and veering to the right shoulder.

The Aveo continued to cross both southbound lanes and eventually struck the big rig on the right shoulder.

Both vehicles continued out of control along the shoulder, with the big rig striking a guard rail and rolling over.

A fire immediately ensued causing both vehicles to become engulfed in flames.

The big rig driver kicked his windshield out and escaped. He had moderate injuries and was transported to St. Elizabeth Community Hospital.